After the Meiji Restoration, Japan's national power grew stronger and stronger, and it eyed its neighbors. After the First Sino-Japanese War, the Japanese lion opened his mouth to demand 30,000 square kilometers of land on the Liaodong Peninsula, and was forced to return it under pressure from the three countries.
After the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, Japan embarked on the road of capitalism through the Meiji Restoration. With the increase of national strength, the ambitions of the Japanese rulers swelled day by day, and they formulated a "mainland policy" of aggression against other countries.
This policy is centered on aggression against China and is divided into five steps: the first step is to invade and occupy Taiwan, the second step is to annex Korea, the third step is to invade and occupy Manchu and Mongolia, the fourth step is to eliminate China, and the last step is to conquer the whole of Asia and dominate the world.
The outbreak of the First Sino-Japanese War was a concrete practice of Japan's "mainland policy."
In 1894, the Donghak uprising broke out in Korea, which directly led to the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War. The uprising, known as the First Sino-Japanese Peasant War, was a large-scale peasant revolt led by Donghak-doks in Korea.
The purpose of the uprising was to rebel against the feudal rule of the Joseon Dynasty and to oppose the invasion and partition of Korea by the foreign powers. Under the fierce attack of the rebel army, the Korean ** army was defeated and retreated, and in desperation, it asked for help from the suzerain, China.
At this time, Japan sent an advance team of 700 people into the territory of Korea under the pretext of protecting the embassy and overseas Chinese in Korea.
However, just a few days later, North Korea** reached an armistice with the rebel forces at home. North Korea** immediately asked China and Japan to withdraw their troops from Korea, and Japan, on the one hand, verbally agreed, but on the other hand, it continued to send reinforcements to Korea.
Finally, the number of Japanese troops in Korea has exceeded 10,000. With the support of a strong military force, Keisuke Otori, the Japanese minister to Korea, began to constantly provoke the Qing Dynasty in order to delay time and prepare for the imminent outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War.
With the passage of time, Japan's intention to take the opportunity to launch a war against China has become apparent. At that time, the Empress Dowager Cixi's 60th birthday was approaching, and in order not to affect her birthday banquet, the Empress Dowager Cixi was very reluctant to have a conflict with Japan, and she hoped to avoid the imminent outbreak of a major war between China and Japan through the mediation of Britain, the United States, Russia and other countries.
The sinister intentions of Japan ** are well known to the great powers of various countries. They hoped that China and Japan would actually go to war so that they could reap the benefits. On July 23, 1894, Japan raided the Korean royal palace, and the defeat of Korea was decided, and it became a puppet of Japan.
On July 25, the Japanese army launched a surprise attack on the Qing troop carriers, triggering the Battle of Toshima and the official outbreak of the First Sino-Japanese War.
On August 1, China and Japan officially kicked off the First Sino-Japanese War. In this war, the Qing Empire, which was impoverished and weakened, had its treasury emptied, and was in great decay, and Japan, which had just completed the Meiji Restoration, engaged in fierce confrontation.
However, the outcome was already predestined, and on February 2, 1895, Japanese Prime Minister Hirobumi Ito made a request for peace talks with Qing **. Subsequently, Li Hongzhang and others set out from Tianjin on March 14, 1895, and went to Shimonoseki (present-day Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture), a place designated by Japan for peace negotiations.
On the 19th, the Qing Dynasty Peace Mission arrived at Moji in Kitakyushu, Japan. On the 20th, Li Hongzhang, the plenipotentiary representative of the Qing Dynasty, began negotiations with Japanese Prime Minister Hirobumi Ito, Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu, and American adviser Duan Dichen at the Chunfan Tower in Maguan.
At that time, the Qing Dynasty was weak and weak, and it was not qualified to negotiate with Japan, so the result of the negotiations was naturally repeated concessions. During the negotiation process, Li Hongzhang repeatedly pleaded for the blackmail to be mitigated, but Ito Hirobumi firmly refused.
American adviser Crestec also helped Japan and urged Li Hongzhang to sign the agreement. On April 17, Li Hongzhang finally signed the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Shimonoseki with the Japanese plenipotentiary, which was extremely humiliating for the Qing Dynasty.
The Treaty of Shimonoseki not only opened the treaty ports and compensated Japan for military spending, but also ceded the Liaodong Peninsula, Taiwan Island, and the Penghu Islands, which aroused opposition from all over the country.
Especially in Taiwan, three days after the signing of the treaty, the people of Taiwan will"Running to tell each other, gathering in the city to cry, night and day, crying in the four fields", they said"The land of mulberry, righteousness and survival"determination.
Emperor Guangxu was under strong pressure from the United States in a hesitant and hesitant mood.
The United States and Japan secretly exchanged interests, hoping that Qing ** would ratify the treaty as soon as possible. On April 20, Ito Hirobumi sent a telegram to Li Hongzhang in Hiroshima that Japan had ratified the peace treaty, mentioning classical Chinese, Chinese, and accompanying articles and drawings.
The United States expressed support for Japan's swift ratification of the treaty. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed the US minister in Japan on the emperor's ratification of the treaty and expressed the hope that the United States would support it.
On April 29, Japan's minister to the United States, Shinichiro Awano, conveyed the U.S. commitment to Mutsu Munemitsu: "The United States is committed to cooperating with Japan without violating the principle of outside neutrality; At the same time, through the US minister in Beijing, China has been advised to ratify the peace treaty as soon as possible. ”
The signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki provided an opportunity for the joint intervention of the great powers, and the time was ripe for an alliance between Russia, Germany, and France. Japan did not expect that with the support of the United States, boiled ducks would be able to fly, and the Liaodong Peninsula, which was about 30,000 square kilometers, would be forced to be returned to China under the intervention of Russia, Germany, and France.
Japan's "Treaty of Shimonoseki" stipulated that the Liaodong Peninsula should be ceded to Japan, which caused great dissatisfaction in the world. It has established its own sphere of influence in Northeast China and North China, but this decision seriously threatens its interests and undermines its strategic position in the struggle with Britain for China and East Asia.
Therefore, ** decided to take action and sent the largest fleet of 21 ** in the Far East to help China hold the Liaodong Peninsula and carry out activities in Chinese waters.
The core idea of the new copy remains the same, but it is rewritten with a different vocabulary and sentence structure.
Under the pretext of "preventing military operations in the middle of Japan from moving northward so that they do not touch the territories and interests", a large number of troops will be deployed on the Sino-Russian border.
When the Sino-Japanese War was still going on in March 1895 and the Japanese occupied the Liaodong Peninsula, they began to fear that their interests would be damaged. However, it was feared that if it intervened in the Sino-Japanese peace talks, it would push Japan into the arms of Britain.
Although he knew that Japan would ask for the cession of land, he did not know the specific content of the peace talks, so he chose to observe the situation. By April, Mutsu Munemitsu submitted a draft peace agreement to Li Hongzhang, which included a clause for the cession of the Liaodong Peninsula.
Upon learning of this news, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Witte, immediately reported to Tsar Nicholas II, suggesting that the Tsar intervene in the territorial invasion of Japan, as it was in the interests of the Tsar.
Robertov's proposal caused concern in the country among some people, who feared that Japan's strength would lead ** into a confrontation with Japan. Robertov understood this, and he believed that he should try to prevent Japan's expansion, but at the same time maintain friendly relations with Japan.
He believed that Britain's indulgent attitude towards Japan made it necessary to proceed with caution. Robertov's views were opposed by some powerful ministers, who believed that he had neglected the interests of the Far East.
However, the tsar convened a special meeting to discuss whether to interfere with the Sino-Japanese peace treaty. At the meeting, ** Admiral Alekseev supported Robertov's point of view, arguing that in order to curb British expansion in the Far East, it was necessary to maintain good relations with Japan, and even support it privately.
He suggested that an agreement be reached with Japan that respects China's rights and interests.
Witte insisted on the position of *** at the special meeting, he believed that Japan's hostile actions were aimed at China, and if Japan occupied Northeast China, it would not only annex Korea in the future, but also threaten the interests of China.
Witte said that if they insist that Japan return the Liaodong Peninsula, then they can become China's savior and demand more benefits from China. Tsar Nicholas II approved the decision and asked the foreign minister to formally inform the European countries and China.
The next day, Robertov proposed to Germany and France that if Japan did not accept the advice of the first country, it would unite Germany and France to take joint military action against Japan.
*The proposal coincides with the German idea. As early as April 4, Germany expressed its desire to intervene with China in Japan's occupation of the Liaodong Peninsula.
Germany has always wanted to build a naval base on Chinese territory and attaches considerable importance to the Liaodong Peninsula. Thus, Japan's occupation of the Liaodong Peninsula was against the will of Germany.
As the Sino-Japanese war drew to a close, Germany first made a great deal of diplomatic effort. They were quick to suggest to Britain** that if any third country gained new benefits from China after the war, Germany would also like to be able to achieve equal benefits, and hoped to join Britain against other competitors.
Britain did not reply to Japan's terms of peace, and Germany turned to unity, claiming that there was no contradiction between Germany and Russia in the Far East. When Japan announced the terms of peace, Britain said that it would not take action, but ** decided to intervene immediately, so Germany encouraged and supported ** to speed up the action.
Germany is keen to intervene for two purposes: one is to obtain new rights and interests and invasion bases in the frenzy of partition of China, and on March 14, Germany made it clear that if it acts in concert with China, it may get China's gratitude and realize the dream of ceding or leasing an area from China as a coastal base; The second is to reduce the pressure on the Russian-French alliance in Europe by shifting the attention of ** to the East.
Kaiser Wilhelm II once said that in order to reduce the threat to Germany's eastern borders, ** should be directed to the east. On this basis, Germany participated in the Japanese intervention in the occupation of the Liaodong Peninsula.
As an ally in Europe, France's attitude towards the Sino-Japanese issue is consistent with that of China, and it hopes to gain harbors and divide spheres of influence in China. Although France tried to invite Britain to join the intervention in returning Liao, the refusal of Britain made France have to consider the Franco-Russian alliance and be consistent with it.
After the three countries reached a consensus on intervention and the return of Liao, Germany first made a voice to Japan.
In the early morning of April 20, Gothramide visited the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and said that he had received instructions from Germany to convey a vital document to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This document will be officially released along with other countries. However, at that time, Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu was recuperating outside, and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Hayashi Dong was not present. Therefore, Gothrumides proposed to come back the next day.
However, the next day, Gothramide did not arrive as promised, but claimed that there was something temporary and could not get out, and asked the embassy staff to inform the Japanese side and agreed to meet on the 22nd.
Early in the morning of the 22nd, Gokchude came to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet with Lin Dong. He claimed: "I would like to meet directly with the Minister of State, i.e., the Prime Minister or the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who can give a definite answer on behalf of Japan** as soon as possible, because of important matters." ”
Lin Dong replied: "The Minister of Foreign Affairs cannot meet immediately because of illness, but I will tell you about your matter, and I will immediately tell the Minister about it." "If that's the case, I'll come back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the afternoon after consulting with other colleagues." ”
Note: The above copy has been appropriately modified according to the context to match the context and flow. ）
1.The German envoy postponed his meeting with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs twice in a row because he was worried that the Russian and French envoys had not received instructions from their own countries. In order to create an atmosphere of interference, Gothrumides had to delay the meeting.
2.On the 23rd, Foreign Minister Robertov met with the French and German envoys to Russia, and said that he had decided to make a request to Japan in a friendly way not to permanently occupy the Chinese mainland, and hoped that France and Germany would join this action.
If Japan does not accept this proposal, it is considering joint military action with France and Germany. 3.Germany agreed to the proposal, and France, in order to consolidate the Russian-French alliance and take advantage of the opportunity, also agreed to participate in the joint intervention of the three countries.
Therefore, the envoys of Russia, France, and Germany to Japan jointly went to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and made a "friendly advice" to Japan, demanding that Japan abandon its permanent occupation of the Liaodong Plain and give a reply within 15 days.
In order to intensify the pressure on Japan, ** ordered ** ships anchored in Japanese ports to be ready to anchor at any time, and gathered a large number of ** in Yantai and Kobe for demonstration.
At the same time, the Kaiser also ordered the commander of the fleet off the coast of China to concentrate ** in the harbor of North China and keep in touch with the ** fleet. ** Admiral Chekhabev threatened: "* The fleet is strong, the morale is high.
As long as a skirmish is conducted, it is possible to cut off Japan's maritime links. The joint intervention of the three countries came as a great surprise to Japan, especially to the sudden change in Germany's attitude.
The war of aggression against China has been going on for more than eight months, and Japan has consumed a lot of resources and manpower.
Faced with a difficult situation at home and abroad, Japan attempted to win over the United States and Britain to counter the joint intervention of the three countries through a maneuvering diplomatic trick. Japan and the United States are allies, and Japan wants to use the power of the United States to counter the intervention of the three countries.
However, Britain rejected Japan's request in euphemistic diplomatic terms, saying that it would not interfere in the matter.
Although the United States** was willing to support Japan, it was unable to do so under the pressure of the joint action of the three countries. In particular, Britain's indifferent attitude has made the United States have some scruples.
The United States recommended that Japan apply to China** for ratification of the treaty, and stressed that assistance to Japan must be carried out without violating the neutral position of the United States. Japan's request was rejected by the United States in a vague diplomatic way.
Unable to get help from Britain and the United States, and under pressure from **, Germany and France, Japan was forced to make concessions. Under diplomatic pressure and military deterrence from the three countries, Japanese Prime Minister Hirobumi Ito felt helpless.
Eventually, on May 5, Ito Hirobumi sent notes to Russia, Germany, and France, announcing that they would renounce the occupation of the Liaodong Peninsula as a sign of respect for the advice of friendship among the three countries.
After the Russo-Japanese War, the Treaty of Shimonoseki ceded the Liaodong Peninsula, the entire island of Taiwan and all its affiliated islands, and the Penghu Islands to Japan.
The Empress Dowager Cixi was very unwilling, so she reappointed Li Hongzhang as the plenipotentiary minister and was responsible for negotiations. Li Hongzhang tried many times to reduce the reparations, but Japan never gave in.
In the end, the Empress Dowager Cixi could only redeem the Liaodong Peninsula with a large amount of money, in order to calm the anger of Japan, and at the same time help to reduce the pressure in China.
The intervention of the three countries in the return of Liao was actually a fierce diplomatic battle between the great powers for China's territory and rights and interests. The intervention of the three powers to return Liao to Liao was the beginning of the frenzy of the great powers to carve up China at the end of the 19th century, reflecting the greedy ambitions of the great powers for Chinese territory.
* Under the pretext of interfering in the return of Liao, he occupied Lushun and Dalian, and constantly demanded "compensation" from the Qing **. Japan was also reluctant to withdraw from Liaodong, and a war between Japan and Russia for northeast China was inevitable.
This intervention has revealed the ambition of the great powers to carve up China and their attempt to dominate Northeast China.
A weak country has no diplomacy, and if it is backward, it will be beaten. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, due to the weakening of the national strength, it was forced to sign a large number of treaties that humiliated the country, causing hundreds of people to suffer endless suffering.
However, China is no longer the era of bullying by others, we have strong national strength and firm convictions, and anyone who tries to interfere with our sovereignty and territorial integrity will pay a heavy price.
Seventy Years of Diplomacy in the Late Qing Dynasty is an indispensable reference book for the study of the diplomatic history of China in the late Qing Dynasty.